slackly
gb/slˈækli/ us/slˈækli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
loosely; not tight
In a loose way, not tight.
Usage pattern:
[something] hangs/lies/drapes slackly
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with slack (informal) meaning “not busy” (e.g., a slack day).
Synonyms
loosely (More general and much more common.)
|
laxly (Often suggests not tight; can also suggest not strict.)
Antonyms
tightly (Firmly fastened or stretched.)
|
tautly (Stretched tight with no slack.)
Collocations
hang slackly
|lie slackly
|drape slackly
|fall slackly
|slackly tied
|slackly knotted
|slackly held
|slackly stretched
|slackly looped
|slackly wrapped
Themes
daily_life
|clothing
|materials
Examples
- The rope hung slackly between the posts.
- Her scarf draped slackly over one shoulder.
- The curtain fell slackly after the rail came loose.
Learner examples
- The belt was tied slackly.
- The rope hung slackly.
adverb
C1
property
2
limply; without energy
In a weak, limp way.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s [arms/hands] hang slackly
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it where “slowly” fits; slackly is about limpness/weakness, not speed.
Synonyms
limply (Direct synonym for physical limpness.)
|
weakly (Emphasizes lack of strength more than looseness.)
Antonyms
stiffly (With rigid muscles or posture.)
|
firmly (With strength or control.)
Collocations
hang slackly at his sides
|hands fell slackly
|jaw slackly open
|muscles slackly relaxed
|mouth hung slackly
|shoulders slumped slackly
|legs lay slackly
|head lolled slackly
Themes
body_health
|emotions
Examples
- His arms hung slackly by his sides as he listened.
- After the injection, her hand lay slackly on the bed.
- He stood with his mouth slackly open, too tired to speak.
Learner examples
- His arms hung slackly.
- My hand lay slackly on the table.
adverb
formal
C1
property
3
laxly; not strictly
Not strictly or carefully enough.
Usage pattern:
[rule/law/standard] is enforced slackly
Common mistake:
Do not use to mean “late” or “behind schedule”; use “slowly” or “not on time.”
Synonyms
leniently (Focuses on being forgiving rather than careless.)
|
laxly (Closest in meaning; common in formal writing.)
Antonyms
strictly (With firm rules and enforcement.)
|
rigorously (With thorough, careful enforcement.)
Collocations
slackly enforced
|slackly regulated
|slackly supervised
|slackly monitored
|slackly controlled
|slackly applied
|slackly administered
|slackly managed
Themes
law
|government
|business
Examples
- Safety rules were enforced slackly for years.
- The policy was applied slackly across different departments.
- The industry remained slackly regulated until the scandal.
Learner examples
- The rules were enforced slackly.
- The factory was slackly supervised.
Grammar
Dictionary form
slackly
IPA
GB/slˈækli/
US/slˈækli/
Syllables & stress
slackly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (slackly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: slackly
- Plural: slacklies
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.